HL Deb 03 February 2005 vol 669 c55WA
Lord Hylton

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What representations they have made to the government of Israel concerning Palestinian families that have been separated due to problems arising from having different identity cards or nationalities or from the presence of barriers and checkpoints. [HL899]

The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean)

We remain deeply concerned about the restrictions on freedom of movement for Palestinians into and within the Occupied Territories. These restrictions include the imposition of curfews, the construction of the barrier and tight access controls including permits and identity cards. We continue to call on the government of Israel to do all they can to ease movement restrictions. My right honourable friend the Foreign Secretary and I have raised our concerns with the Israeli Government and the Israeli ambassador in London. Our ambassador in Tel Aviv has also raised these issues with the Israeli authorities.